2022 Game Preview: Colts Reinvent March Madness In Critical October
It’s March Madness in October! Big time players make big time statements. There’s nothing like having a division title on the line, and it’s still the beginning of the season.
Who wants it more. #INDvsTEN pic.twitter.com/jkNTIhEpXP — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 19, 2022
Over/Under: How many games will Colts win in ’22-23? – Powered By PickUp
Highly (Playoff) Implicated Match Between Colts And Titans
Back in Week Four, the Titans came out swinging for the fences. They punched the Colts in the mouth early and then, almost gave the game away, if not for a fumble by Johnathan Taylor, who suffered a badly sprained ankle on the play. The Titans, of course, eventually won the game, 24-17, behind an efficient day by their quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, who was 17 of 21 on completions and two touchdowns (despite an underwhelming 137 yards passing). Running back Derrick Henry finished with 147 all-purpose yards and one rushing touchdown. The Titans defense forced three turnovers and recorded three sacks on the day, in a “bend, but don’t break” effort, as they gave up over 330 passing yards.
The Colts, true to form, presented a typical slow start effort, but came in hot during the second half. Quarterback Matt Ryan finished the day with 356 passing yards on 27 completions and threw two touchdowns with an ill-advised interception. Running back Johnathan Taylor had probably the worst game of his career, rushing for 42 yards on 20 carries and no touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the stiffening of the defense came a bit late. The unit was gashed play after play during the Titans’ first three drives. It didn’t help that star linebacker Shaquille Leonard sustained a broke nose and concussion due to some friendly fire from linebacker Zaire Franklin.
#Titans advantages: 4 straight wins in the series 3 straight wins overall Coming off their bye week#Colts, who have won 2 in a row, are 2.5-point underdogs Who ya got in #INDvsTEN? #NFL https://t.co/mlbnp1eO3i pic.twitter.com/oFeXZLPhHi — IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports) October 21, 2022
Are The Colts Ready To Make Their Case For The Division Crown?
It’s all or nothing at this point. This will ultimately define the rest of the season for the Colts. Win, and you have a driver’s seat to the playoffs, with no other division game until the last game of the season against the lowly Houston Texans. Lose, and the team will be watching the scoreboard for the rest of the season, in hopes of seeing the Titans lose. Neither team wants (or can afford) the latter.
The Colts are coming off of a big victory, where they got to put on an offensive show against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (The Titans more than likely were at home watching the game, as they were participating in a bye week.) Expect both teams to come out swinging. Turnovers will be an expensive casualty to whoever decides to make them. But, also, expect the unexpected.
Could there be a Sam “Yosemite Sam” Ehlinger siting? Could Malik Willis be called into the game if it starts getting out of hand? Keep a keen eye out for the injury report. It could definitely play a apart in what direction the Colts choose in defining a game plan. Make no mistake: the Colts are coming to play. However, the key point is: will it be the Week Four Colts or the Week Six Colts? Tune in at 1 P.M. EDT Sunday. It should be a movie.
Hide your QB our defense is HUNGRY. #INDvsTEN pic.twitter.com/BM6IEv9j0a — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 20, 2022
Follow us on Facebook and Like our page, Indy Intercept. Follow IndyIntercept and StadiumRantHQ on Twitter. Listen to the latest episode of the Indy Intercept Podcast.
Want to join our team here at Indy Intercept? Become part of what we are building at Stadium Rant. Click here to apply and get started.
Alec Pierce’s rec yds total as a rookie – Powered By PickUp
#Colts #titans #AFCSouth #TennesseeTitans #IndianapolisColts #MattRyan #featuredwriters